Need for safe logging trucks

Authorities are still trying to determine what caused a log truck to collide with a pickup on April 12 in Dawson County, killing a 33-year-old Forsyth County woman. Cpl. Rinehart of the Georgia State Patrol’s Cumming post was the first police officer to the scene. He stated it appears the log truck lost control while traveling west on Kelly Bridge.

“The logs came loose as it overturned.” The truck struck the deceased woman’s pickup head on, spilling its cargo onto her truck, authorities said.

The patrol’s specialized collision reconstruction team is handling the investigation. The unit will determine what, if any, charges the driver of the 18-wheeler may face.

“The SCRT team will only investigate prosecutable fatalities,” Rinehart said. Donna Garrett with Georgia State patrol noted that “the team reconstructs the accident to determine the cause.”

The truck driver worked for Reece Logging Co. of Jasper, Georgia. A spokesman said he could not comment on whether the logs were properly secured or give out any other information.

This sad story illustrates the need for trucking companies to make sure that its employees follow safety regulations requiring that cargo is secured. Death and catastrophic injuries can occur when safety rules are not followed. This story also shows that a prompt investigation can secure crucial evidence which can mean the difference in whether a truck driver is held responsible for negligence or misconduct.